The E3 2014 Thread

The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014, commonly known as E3 2014, is the upcoming 20th Electronic Entertainment Expo held. E3 is an annual trade show for the video game industry presented by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The event is scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA from June 10, 2014 to June 12.

GameTrailers' "30 Days of E3": What to Expect from...
GT is starting a new video series for E3 called: "30 Days of E3; What to Expect from", where, for 30 Days, they will pick one game and answer these questions:

- What is it?
- What should we expect?
- Why should we care?
- Why should we worry?
- One thing you might not know.

It will end with a Top 10 of their Most Anticipated E3 Games on June 6th.

We’re just a bit over a month to E3, and today a source that opted to remain anonymous contacted us to share what he alleges to be Sony Computer Entertainment’s plans for their press conference.

Our source mentioned that the information comes from contacts within Sony’s worldwide studios and a further contact at the BBH New York marketing firm, which works with Sony for part of its promotion.

The info reported below is awfully detailed, which is one of the reasons why we decided to publish it, but we were also able to confirm part of it with a second source. The double-sourced information is bolded, so while you should take everything with the customary grain of salt, the bolded parts stand on more solid ground than the rest.

The source also mentioned that the following publishers will be on stage: Rockstar (with Grand Theft Auto), Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Konami, Capcom, Warner Bros, Activision, Square Enix, Take Two.

(Update: our source followed up saying that he’s actually not 100% sure if Rockstar will actually be on stage or Sony will just announce the next generation Grand Theft Auto V on their behalf)

There will also big titles announced for the Instant Game Collection, a segment on Project Morpheus, one on the Sony Entertainment Network and a re-introduction of PlayStation Now. Price drops will also be unveiled for the PS3 and PS Vita.

We’ll also see several smaller-scale, downloadable titles. PS Vita Vita will get some attention, but not much – as it’ll be a PS4 show. PS3 will get a montage and few new titles. Finally, the show will close with a teaser of a sequel of The Last of Us.

Again, everything mentioned above should be taken with the skepticism usually reserved to rumors, but much of it is so specific that it’s hard to completely disbelieve it. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait for June to see if everything will check out, but one thing is for sure: Personally I really hope it will, because if this is really what Sony’s presser will look like, we’re in for a real treat.

Ryse 2 is in development and will be announced at the show in a real-time in-game trailer. Gone is the Roman period, enter the medieval setting. The game will offer more freedom of exploration and a refined combat system. The main character is a sell-sword of sorts with a greater destiny. This game looks beyond belief. No release date (possibly late 2016)

Forza Horizon 2 will be announced for release in October 2014 vai Playground Games. It will once again be open world and set in Louisiana, Missisips, New Mexico, Texas and Arkansas. Full day/night cycle, real time weather. Estimated 80 hour single player.

343 Industries will unveil Halo 2: Anniversary. This is a full (multiplayer included) visual makeover of Halo 2, it will also include the same options as Halo Anniversary (Including both visual modes) skulls etc. It will include the E3 2003 mission as a bonus unlockable and the maps from the PC version.

No Turn 10 this year except in supportive capacity of Playground.

Halo 5 will get its release date.

Rare is prepping a re-boot of Battletoads and Perfect Dark. BT will initially be a download only title (see Killer Instinct) and is set to run at 60fps. Perfect Dark is looking to be rebooted into a Third Person Adventure game - Similar to Uncharted.

Epic will be there to unveil their new game base on the Samaritan demo from 2012. This will be XBOX ONE EXCLUSIVE as Microsoft is the publisher. Possibly the best looking game of this generation.

Good Science Studios will unveil their Kinect Only game "EchoBlack" - The game is controlled via the use of Kinect and the player plots through an adventure game drawn as by echolocation. The vibrancy of the world depicted alters depending on the pitch, loudness and location of the players voice. No release date.

Twisted Pixel will reveal their next digital game which is set in a sci-fantasy planet of Dekelsus. Possibly a 2.5D platformer.

Black Tusk will have a CGI trailer for Gears of War : Lazurus which will show the direction the series is heading.

Lift London will be showing 2 projects. They are small and digital based. No other details unfortunately.

Lionhead will have a brief gameplay of Fable Legends and bow out with a teaser of their next project which is set in a post-cataclysmic Earth decimated by egg shaped objects (possibly aliens)

Frontier Development is working on a family friendly Kinect title for release in 2014

Phantom Dust : Sacrifice is being worked on by Grounding Inc and will be a prequel to the original. The game will be episodic in nature.

Quantum Break will be out November 2014 - There is a multiplayer mode - Part 1 of a trilogy. The game has had a significant graphical upgrade since last year.

Sunset Overdrive is aiming for release on the last weeks of August/Early September. Graphically it looks like the CG trailer and the Parkour element of the game is a mix of Sonic, Jet Set Radio and Ratchet and Clank.

The secret Japanese game is coming from Platinum Games and is a Viewtiful Joe like action- beat em up. Codename is "RugPuddle". This is part one of a multiple game deal with Microsoft to publish other titles in the future.

Leap Experience Pioneers will announce their game which looks like a TPS/RPG hybrid set in a Sci-fi universe. Looks very Mass Effect inspired. COMING 2015

Platform Next Games is a new studio. They will be presenting an unnamed tech demo based on an upcoming project (similar to Black Tusks demo last year) which appears to be set in either an ancient or fantasy setting.

Games With Gold will be announced for Xbox One starting immediately. The aim is that it will be 1 retail game a month, 1 digital game per month of a choice of 2. This will evolve as time goes on.

Microsoft will announce the date when retail units can be activated as development kits, it will be before October 2014.

Crackdown: Skyline - Coming 2015 - No other info, not even the developer. Microsoft Studios.

Multi-platforms are as follows:
The Division (Xbox One is now lead platform)
Call of Duty: Advanced WarfareFallout 4
EA game (not specified here)

MS: XB1 Kinect won't cost $100, 400$ XB1 revealed early because E3 will focus on games

Following its announcement of an Xbox One without Kinect, Microsoft hasn’t decided what its standalone Kinect will cost later this year, but head of Xbox Phil Spencer says “the price probably won’t be exactly $100.” Spencer tells IGN, “There is some efficiency in putting everything together in one box. So we’ll announce more on pricing later.”

Additionally, Kinect will be available “a little later” than the June 9 launch of the new Xbox One model, rather than day-and-date.

Serious discussions surrounding the removal of Kinect started around a month ago, shortly after Spencer accepted the position as head of Xbox. Yusuf Mehdi and Phil Spencer looked at a list of “things we wanted to work on,” and Kinect, Games With Gold on Xbox One, and making entertainment apps available to all Xbox owners topped the list.

Microsoft always had conversations about a Kinect-free Xbox One, “even a year ago,” but movement to separate the console from the accessory took time and a lot of fan feedback. With E3 looming, Microsoft now has more time to focus on games — something Spencer repeats adamantly.

“We wanted to get this out of the way so that E3 could be about the games and the great platform lineup.”

When asked if Microsoft planned to bundle a Kinect game in the standalone accessory, Spencer said, “We haven’t made a decision yet, but I think you’re thinking in the right way.”

We’ll see how Microsoft incentivizes its audience to adopt Kinect during its E3 media briefing on June 9 — the day its new Xbox model hits store shelves.

With a hefty helping of next-generation games and an assortment of hotly anticipated titles, Ubisoft is set for a strong showing at E3 2014. Whether you’re attending the show, watching the videos and streams, visiting our Uplay Lounge, or checking out the UbiBlog for all the latest info, we’ve got you covered.

Assassin’s Creed Unity

A new Assassin, a new era. Assassin’s Creed Unity has been built from the ground up as a next-gen game, offering a new way to experience the venerated franchise. Set during the French Revolution, Assassin’s Creed Unity unfolds during a time of unimaginable terror and unprecedented turbulence – the perfect backdrop for the ongoing battle between the Assassins and the Templars.

Far Cry 4

Far Cry 3 was the top-rated shooter of 2012. How do you possibly top that? By going even bigger. Far Cry 4 is set in an entirely new area – a massive open-world in a Himalayan region known as Kyrat. With a new weapons, vehicles, wildlife and more, Far Cry 4 will be the most immersive and expansive game in the series ever.

The Division

New York is in the middle of a devastating crisis. Thrown into chaos by a bio-terror attack and now in full lockdown, the city has only hope: a group of sleeper agents who must now spring into action. This open-world action-RPG combines the authenticity of a Tom Clancy game with fast action, strategic teamwork and intense exploration.

The Crew
Get behind the wheel of this revolutionary action-driving game. The Crew delivers a massive open-world United States, full of highways, alleyways, dirt roads and more. Join up with others to take on challenges, or go solo and explore the countryside in a game populated by other real players.

And more…
Valiant Hearts: The Great War will be at the show, along with other Ubisoft titles. We’ll also have special guests at the Ubisoft booth throughout the show.

All Access Live Pre-Show presented by GEICO: Driveclub and Jack Tretton Live!

11:45 AM ET – 12:Noon (8:45 AM PT – 9 AM PT)Our coverage kicks off when Sony's Scott Rohde drops by to give us the first look at the E3 demo of Driveclub for PlayStation 4. Plus, meet our special correspondent for the day: Industry veteran Jack Tretton, who will answer questions from the community and provide his insight on what's in store for E3 2014. And we check in with Michael Pachter to get his thoughts on what to expect from the day ahead.
All Access Live: Homefront 2, Phil Spencer, Shadow of Mordor

12:00 ET – 12:30 PM ET (9 AM PT – 9:30 AM PT)We kick things into gear with the first-ever gameplay demo of Homefront 2 from CryTek, the exclusive first look at the E3 demo of Shadow of Mordor from Monolith and WBIE, plus another surprise game demo! Geoff Keighley chats with Xbox's Phil Spencer at the Galen Center to preview what Xbox has planned for its annual E3 briefing. Then Jack Tretton, Adam Sessler and Tina Amini from Kotaku run down what to expect from XBox at E3, and we go live to the Xbox "Green Carpet" as developers arrive for the press conference.

2:00 – 3:00 PM ET (11 AM – Noon PT)Immediately following the briefing, Geoff has the exclusive first interview with Phil Spencer about everything that was announced on stage and his new vision for Xbox. Plus, tune in for the world premiere of Sunset Overdrive multiplayer with Marcus Smith from Insomniac Games. Glen Schofield and Michael Condry drop by to discuss Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, we get the latest on Halo E3 news from Frank O'Connor of 343 Industries, the team behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt drops by, and Crystal Dynamics visits All Access to make a new game announcement exclusively on Spike — with the first footage too! Also, GT's own Kyle Bosman visits to report on the social sentiment coming out of the Xbox press conference.

4:00 – 5:00 PM ET (1 – 2 PM PT)Immediately following the EA briefing, Karl Magnus from DICE joins us to discuss the studio's announcements at the press conference. Oculus Rift founder Palmer Lucky drops by to discuss the latest on VR and world premieres a new VR demo for the first time anywhere. We also premiere a new demo for Dragon Age: Inquisition beyond what was shown in the press conference with BioWare's Aaryn Flynn. In addition, Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg comes by to answer our questions, we get the first look at the Battlecry E3 demo from Bethesda, and don't miss a special surprise executive interview you definitely don't want to miss.
All Access Live: Hideo Kojima, Project Morpheus, Evil Within, and More

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET (4 – 5 PM PT)Immediately following the Ubisoft press briefing, CEO Yves Guillemot and Ubisoft Toronto Managing Director Jade Raymond visit with Geoff to discuss all the announcements and answer your questions. Plus, don't miss interviews about The Crew, a first look at the new Dark Souls II DLC, a demo of the indie darling Below from Capy Games, Fantasia: Music Evolved with Harmonix, and yes, we're even world premiering your first look at the Portal board game from Valve and Cryptozoic. Plus a surprise game demo we can't announce just yet.
All Access Live: Alienware Alpha Steambox World Premiere, Lego Batman 3, and More Surprise Demos

8:00 – 9:00 PM ET (5 – 6 PM PT)Alienware comes by to reveal its new Alpha Gaming Console powered by Steam for the first time with a live demo on our stage. Plus, don't miss demos of Lords of the Fallen, Lego Batman 3, and two other surprise E3 games we can't tell you about just yet. Plus, we lead into the Sony press conference with analysis from Jack Tretton, USA Today's Mike Snider, and Kotaku's Stephen Totilo.

PlayStation Press Conference
9:00 – 10:30 PM ET (6 – 7:30 PM PT)
Live from Los Angeles, PlayStation returns to the stage where it dropped the mic in 2013. Find out what's next for the PlayStation 4, including The Order: 1886 and much much more.